Overview
Avocado trees can produce delicious, nutritious fruit, but in order to produce its fruit, the tree must flower. This can be a tricky process, and it can take a while before it produces fruit. Here, we will look at the various steps one needs to take to get an avocado tree to flower, along with other helpful advice.
Watering and Pruning
The most important first step to help an avocado tree flower is to ensure that it is well watered. Many gardeners recommend watering an avocado tree at least once a week, and more during dry periods. Additionally, it is important to prune the tree properly in order to promote more flowering. For example, lower branches can be pruned to allow more light to reach the fruiting branches.
Fertilization
Fertilizing an avocado tree can also help trigger flowering. Avocado trees benefit from a balanced fertilizer with an even ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Additionally, some experts recommend fertilizing with an organic or slow release fertilizer, as this can help promote more flowering and fruit growth.
Providing the Right Conditions
In addition to watering and fertilizing an avocado tree, it is important to provide the right conditions in order to enable it to flower. This includes providing the tree with plenty of sunlight and a balanced temperature. For example, avocado trees should get at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, and should be kept at temperatures between 18 degrees and 24 degrees Celsius.
Cross-Pollination
One of the key steps to getting an avocado tree to flower is to ensure that it is cross-pollinated. This is important, as most avocado trees require cross-pollination in order to flower and bear fruit. To encourage cross-pollination, gardeners can either plant different cultivars of avocado trees in close proximity (within 50 feet) or hang bags of pollen near the branches of the tree.
Deciphering Signs
Another key step to getting an avocado tree to flower is to decipher the signs that it is displaying. Avocado trees will typically display signs when they are ready to flower, such as the appearance of flowers, leaves, and branches. This can help gardeners identify when the tree is ready to be pollinated, and can help them time their pollination efforts accordingly.
Risks and Benefits
When attempting to get an avocado tree to flower, it is important to be aware of the risks and benefits involved. While pollination efforts can help trigger flowering, it can also increase the risk of pests, diseases, and bad weather which can cause the tree to fail to flower. On the other hand, successfully flowering an avocado tree can result in the tree bearing delicious, nutritious fruit.
Fruit Expeller
Experts also suggest using a fruit expeller to help get an avocado tree to flower. This is a tool that is used to pressurize the tree and to simulate the conditions that the avocado tree would experience in nature. This can help trigger flowering, as the tree is essentially being “tricked” into thinking that it is receiving the right conditions to flower.
Light Stimulation
Light stimulation is another method often used to help get an avocado tree to flower. During the flowering period, the tree should receive an optimal amount of light in order to help it flower. To achieve this, gardeners can use LED lights to help provide the optimum levels of light.
Humidity and Heat
Providing the right levels of humidity and heat can also help get an avocado tree to flower. This can be achieved by using a sprinkler system to provide the required levels of humidity, as well as using a fan or other means to provide the necessary warmth.
Supportive Pruning
Finally, another key step that gardeners can take in order to get an avocado tree to flower is to practice supportive pruning. As the tree grows, gardeners should periodically prune back select branches in order to promote better air circulation, which can help the tree flower more effectively.
Frost Protection
The most logical step to getting an avocado tree to flower is to protect it from frost, as this can significantly damage the tree and prevent it from flowering. To help protect the tree, gardeners can use a frost blanket or other protecting products to keep the tree warm and safe during frost periods.
Good Compost
Using good compost can also help promote growth in an avocado tree. This can include adding compost around the tree to help stimulate the soil, as well as using a compost tea to help promote growth and flowering. By adding good compost to the soil, gardeners can help the avocado tree flourish and flower.
Secondary Grafting
Secondary grafting is an often overlooked yet essential step that should be taken when trying to get an avocado tree to flower. This involves connecting a branch from a younger avocado tree to a branch of an established tree. Doing this will help to stimulate the flow of sap, which can help promote faster flowering.
Fungus Control
Finally, it is important to keep an avocado tree free from diseases and pests. This includes controlling any fungus that might be present in the soil, as it can lead to stunted growth and reduced flowering. To help control fungus, gardeners should apply a fungicide to the soil, as well as maintaining good surface drainage.
